Bear an earl's coronet and a peer's cloak,
With this device: Aut nunquam aut semper.
My Latin is to seek, let me confess,
But thus in English doth the motto read:
"Sustain the King and your own feudal rights,
"And do not madrigals and sonnets make;
"Leave such employment to the common herd."
And so, my lord, be more solicitous
Of our hereditary rank; no more
Do what the humblest baronet or squire,
Whose arms are flint and steel, would scorn to do!
No verses!
Rochester. Gad! 'tis a decree in form.
That my offence is heinous, I agree.
But amongst other rhymers, one and all
Of lowliest estate, a fellow criminal
I mark Armand Duplessis Richelieu,
The poet-cardinal; why hold my peace?
Ay, e'en if the supporters of my shields
Were England's lion and the unicorn,
Still would I write rondeaus and madrigals!
[Aside.] The dear old man is in a savage humour.
[He looks toward the door and cries:
Oh! come and change the subject, Davenant!
Scene 4.—Lord Ormond, Lord Rochester, Davenant.
Rochester [running toward Davenant.
Dear poet, we await you here to read
A quatrain to you.
Davenant [saluting the two noblemen.
'Tis another quest
